United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) Southern African office has asked member States, including Malawi to diversify their renewable energy mix as one way of addressing the region’s energy deficit.
Speaking yesterday during the opening of an Ad-Hoc Expert Group Meeting ahead of the 30th Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Government Officials and Expertsin Livingstone, Zambia, Uneca Southern Africa office director Eunice Kamwendo said this is essential for social equity and economic resilience for the region.
She said southern Africa is rich in renewable energy resources with abundant solar, wind, and hydropower capabilities that largely remain untapped.
Kamwendo, a Malawian, said: “The region is also home to critical minerals [green minerals] that are sought after by the rest of the world for clean energy solutions.
“The region can make use of these and by embracing them we can significantly enhance our energy security and catalyse economic growth.”
Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs deputy director Rhino Mchenga agreed that over-reliance on hydroelectricity puts the country at risk, but assured that government is taking steps in diversifying energy sources.
“There are a lot of solar projects in the country but we need to move with speed because climate change effects may catch up with us,” he said.
Mchenga cited the solar plants at Golomoti and Ntakatak in Salima District further revealing plans for another plant in Balaka.
Zambia, which has about 80 percent of its energy generated through hydro, is facing energy challenges following persistent droughts which have affected electricity generation.
The challenges have forced the power supply company to resort to load shedding.
Source: The antion-Jacob Nankhonya-staff writer-19 November 2024